Raise a family or carry on riding? The decision no jockey should have to make

In the last week there have been two notable retirements from the jumping ranks – Lizzie Kelly quit riding at 27 to start a family, while Barry Geraghty will now get to spend more time with his after a truly incredible career.

It is the nature of fatherhood compared to motherhood that Geraghty never even had to consider making Kelly's sacrifice but, for a sport that proudly champions the fact women compete against men as equals, perhaps it is time to acknowledge more could be done to retain our female athletes.

The likes of tennis superstar Serena Williams, cyclist Laura Kenny (née Trott) – Britain's most decorated female Olympian – and athletics medal machines Allyson Felix and Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce have shattered the misconception elite athletes cannot also be mothers – and women in any sport should no longer have to face the decision to retire early or wait until the end of their career if they want to start a family.